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See You at the Top

Mountain Day, a surprise reprieve from the usual routine that arrives whenever the college president so chooses, is a much-loved tradition that dates back to the mid-19th century.

Early in September, Mountain Day t-shirts designed by a student are tie-dyed on the Quad. Then, the waiting begins for that magical hour on a magical day on Mountain Day at Colby-Sawyer College.

As the bell tolls atop Colgate Hall to let the college community know that all classes had been canceled and they should head for the buses waiting to take them to Mt. Kearsarge, whoops of joy erupt on the Quad and in the residence halls and classrooms. People grab those tie-dyed masterpieces and head for the buses that will take them to the mountain.

Two trails diverge in the woods at the trailhead, but both the long-and-gentle and the shorter-but-steeper options lead to the rocky summit and spectacular views: On a clear day, the John Hancock and Prudential Towers in Boston are visible 100 miles south, with the Atlantic Ocean beyond. See if you can spot the cupola atop Colgate Hall!

Mountain Day is all about friends and fresh air and gaining a new perspective on your home away from home. At the summit, sign the banner and pose for a giant group photo before heading back down for a picnic and time with friends old and new.